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Newhall House and Estate

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Coordinates: 52°48′32″N 9°00′43″W / 52.808859°N 9.011908°W / 52.808859; -9.011908
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Newhall House and Estate
Newhall House, a Queen Anne-style mansion
Newhall House and Estate is located in Ireland
Newhall House and Estate
Location within Ireland
General information
StatusCountry House
Architectural styleGeorgian
Town or citynear Ennis
CountryIreland
Coordinates52°48′32″N 9°00′43″W / 52.808859°N 9.011908°W / 52.808859; -9.011908
Groundbreaking1650
OwnerCommane family
AffiliationParish of Killone
Design and construction
Architect(s)Francis Bindon
DeveloperO'Brien and MacDonnell build the front section 1765
Website
http://www.newhall.ie
References
[1]

Newhall is a 17th century country estate near Ennis in County Clare, Ireland held by members of the Irish landed gentry.[2][3] The front section of Newhall House was added during the Georgian period, creating a T-shaped design with an elongated back section for servants' quarters.[4][5]

The estate's demesne includes a holy well,[6] gate lodges,[7][8] woodlands, parklands, lakes, Killone Abbey,[9] a national monument (founded 1190 by Donald Mor O’Brien King of Thomond, for nuns of the rule of St. Augustine)[10] and has an associated folklore legend concerning a mermaid.[11][12]

History

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Early period

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In 1544 King Henry VIII of England granted Kilone Abbey and the parish of Killone, including Newhall, and much other property in County Clare to Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond. This occurred after Murrough gifted the crown of Thomond to the King of England, and received lands and titles back as a feudal subject (a process known as surrender and regrant). In 1580, Killone Castle was the property of the Baron of Inchiquin. There is now no trace of the castle beyond Newhall House.[13]

The original back section of the house and stables were commenced in 1650.

During this period 3rd Viscount Clare owned the estate.

In 1708 Colonel John O'Brien of Newhall (the son of the Earl of Inchiquin, who came from one of the most powerful families in Munster)[14] left in his will Newhall and Killone to his wife Honora O'Brien.[15][16]

Expansion

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"Fish without fish, meat without bones, hear the mermaid's curse on the plains of Killone. As the mermaid floats bloodless down the stream, so shall the O'Briens pass away from Killone." The Newhall Mermaid's Curse, Clare Folk Tales.[17]

O'Brien (likely Christopher O'Brien), having been cursed by a mermaid, had seven daughters and no sons.[17][18]

During the late 17th century, the MacDonnell family purchased Newhall and established connections through multiple marriages with the O’Brien dynasty and the Viscount Clare.[3]

James MacDonnell, Esq. of Kilkee, was a Jacobite who supported the catholic King James II, serving as a captain in Lord Clare's regiment of dragoons. After the Battle of the Boyne triumph of the dutch protestant King William III of Orange over James II, he shifted allegiance to secure his estates. In 1702, he became a joint purchaser of the confiscated estates of his cousin, the 3rd Viscount Clare, forfeited for high treason and later exiled in France as part of the Flight of the Wild Geese. MacDonnell also served as a commissioner for the poll tax in County Clare in 1695.[19]

In 1746, their son, Charles MacDonnell purchased Newhall from his maternal uncle Sir Edward O'Brien, 2nd Baronet of Dromoland Castle and married Sir Edward's daughter Katherine O'Brien (his cousin). MacDonnell was MP for County Clare until his death. Under Charles MacDonnell MP, the original house underwent significant expansion, including the addition of a new Georgian Queen-Anne Style front, likely designed by Francis Bindon.[20][21][22] This renovation created a T-shaped layout with an elongated rear section becoming the servant's quarters.

Their son, Charles MacDonnell, also MP, born in 1761, was appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant of the Earl of Belvidere's regiment in 1794. During the American War, he raised and commanded a regiment of volunteers in Canada. He served as Member of Parliament for County Clare and later represented the borough of Yarmouth at the time of his death. In 1802, he was appointed a commissioner of accounts. Charles MacDonnell MP died in Bath, England, on 6 September 1803.[19]

In 1821, John MacDonnell Esq, of Newhall, was magistrate, deputy lieutenant, and high-sheriff of Clare. He was a minor for several years after his father's death. He served as a volunteer in Spain during the peninuslar war. He died at Newhall in 1850.[18]

By the 19th century, the Armstrongs of Mount Heaton[23], County Offaly had succeeded to the estate after William Henry Armstrong married Charles MacDonnell’s granddaughter in 1809. Their second son, William Edward Armstrong, inherited the estate from his uncle John MacDonnell in 1850 and assumed by royal license the additional name and arms of MacDonnell.[24] In 1853 he became DL and high-sheriff of the county.[3] In 1858 he married the Hon. Juliana-Cecilia O'Brien, eldest daughter of Lucius 13th Lord Inchiquin.

During the 1870s, the estate covered 6,670 acres.

It was later occupied (and rented) by cousin Robert and Florence Vere O'Brien in the 1890s, although Slater's Directory notes it was a seat of a Charles R.A. MacDonnell in 1894.

20th and 21st centuries

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In 1912, Charles R.A. MacDonnell transferred 3,485 acres of tenanted land and 256 acres of untenanted land to the Congested Districts' Board for a sum exceeding £26,000.[3] It was a home of the Joyce family of County Galway in the 20th century.[25]

As a gentry seat,[2] Newhall hosted fox hunts and balls[5] and was (and remains) a working farm.

In 2016, the estate was purchased by the Commane family, a local family originating ancestrally from Newhall, who are restoring it to its original form.[26]

  • Newhall House circa 1995
    Newhall House circa 1995
  • Newhall Estate circa 1890
    Newhall Estate circa 1890
  • Newhall front (prior to restoration)
    Newhall front (prior to restoration)
  • Elongated back section 1650 house T-shape design with 1765 Georgian front added. Photo circa 2000s (prior to restoration by the Commane family)
    Elongated back section 1650 house T-shape design with 1765 Georgian front added. Photo circa 2000s (prior to restoration by the Commane family)
  • Gatehouses, Newhall (prior to restoration)
    Gatehouses, Newhall (prior to restoration)
  • Saint John the Baptist Holy Well, Newhall
    Saint John the Baptist Holy Well, Newhall
  • Waterfall at Newhall to the Lake
    Waterfall at Newhall to the Lake
  • MacDonnall Coat of Arms at Newhall [10]
    MacDonnall Coat of Arms at Newhall [10]

Killone Abbey

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Killone Abbey Graveyard

Located on the grounds of Newhall, Killone Abbey an Augustin nunnery and abbey of Canonesses Regular founded in 1190 by Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Thomond and Munster, is situated near the northern shore of Killone Lake, the abbey served as a spiritual centre for the region. The remains of the site include a church, notable for its architectural details, and an undercroft, which was later used as a crypt.[27]

The abbey's history is marked by notable figures, such as Slaney O'Brien, daughter of King Donogh Carbreach of Thomond, who served as abbess until her death in 1259. Another significant abbess was Renalda O'Brien, whose 1510 will requested burial at Ennis Friary rather than Killone. The abbey was dissolved in 1543, with its lands granted to Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond. Despite its dissolution, the abbey remains a site of historical and architectural interest, reflecting its enduring legacy.[9]

Adjacent to the abbey is St. John's Holy Well, a site of pilgrimage and local devotion.[28]

Saint John the Baptist Holy Well

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Also located on the grounds of Newhall, Saint John the Baptist Holy Well, known as Tobar Eoin in Irish, has long been a site of local religious significance. The well, which is believed to have healing properties, has been a place of pilgrimage since pagan times. Traditionally associated with Saint John the Baptist, the site includes remnants of historical stone structures and features a natural spring. Local folklore and records suggest that the well was visited for blessings and cures, particularly during the feast day of Saint John. The surrounding area remains a spiritual and reflective spot for visitors.[29][28][6]

Lord Walter Fitzgerald (the fourth son of Charles, fourth Duke of Leinster) visited in 1899 and authored a book Inscriptions at St. John's Well, Killone Abbey, County Clare for the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.[6]

Folklore and the Mermaid Legend

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Ireland's folklore is rich and varied, with many legends tied to Newhall and Killone. Among these is the story of a hidden cave, believed to lie somewhere between Ennis and Lisdoonvarna. This cave is said to conceal an underground river with the magical ability to make the old young again. However, the cave's location remains a mystery, as those who reportedly sought its rejuvenating powers were never seen again.[30]

One of the most enduring legends associated with Newhall House and Killone Lake involves a mermaid believed to inhabit the lake's depths. According to local folklore, a member of the O'Brien family, residing near Killone Lake, noticed that wine from his cellar was mysteriously disappearing. Determined to uncover the thief, he stayed awake one night and discovered that a mermaid was swimming from the lake through an underground passage to steal the wine. In his attempt to stop her, he either shot her or, in another version, a servant scalded her with boiling water. Wounded and enraged, the mermaid fled back to the lake, cursing the O'Brien family with the words: "As the mermaid goes on the sea, so shall the race of O’Briens pass away, till they leave Killone in wild weeds." It is also said that every seven years, the lake's waters turn red, symbolising the mermaid's blood and foretelling a change in the estate's occupants.[31][32]

Stories of encounters with the mermaid, including sightings by fishermen and tragic events connected to the lake, have been passed down through generations, becoming a significant part of County Clare's rich tapestry of folklore. The tale reflects the region's deep connection to its natural surroundings and the mystical narratives that have shaped its cultural heritage.[33][4]

Heritage Group and School Children’s Revival

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In recent years, local heritage groups and schoolchildren have played an active role in reviving the legend of the mermaid of Killone Lake. Through projects, storytelling sessions, and creative interpretations, the younger generation has been involved in keeping this piece of folklore alive.

One notable initiative saw schoolchildren from Clarecastle collaborating with the local heritage group. They created drawings, wrote stories, and participated in events aimed at reintroducing the legend to the community. This effort not only celebrated the rich cultural history of the area but also encouraged a deeper connection between local youth and the folklore of County Clare.[33][34][35]

References

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  1. ^ "Dictionary of Irish Architects". www.dia.ie. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b BURKE, Sir Bernard. A genealogical and heraldic history of the Landed Gentry of Ireland. London: Harrison & Sons, 1904.
  3. ^ a b c d "MacDonnell (Newhall) | Landed Estates | University of Galway". landedestates.ie. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b theirishaesthete (25 August 2014). "New Blood for New Hall". The Irish Aesthete. Archived from the original on 8 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b "The Times - Co Clare Mansion once hosted dazzling balls and fox hunts". 15 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Lord Fitzgerald, Walter (July 1899). "INSCRIPTIONS AT ST. JOHN'S WELL, KILLONE ABBEY, COUNTY CLARE" (PDF). ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Gate Lodges of Co. Clare". Roundabout Shannon. 18 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. ^ Weir, Hugh W.L. Gate Lodges of Co. Clare. pp. 44–45.
  9. ^ a b "Killone Augustinian Abbey (Nunnery) | Monastic Ireland". Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  10. ^ a b Newby, Eric; Petry, Diana (1970). Wonders of Ireland: A Personal Choice of 484. Stein and Day. ISBN 978-0-8128-1274-9.
  11. ^ "The History and Topography of the County of Clare by James Frost: Chapter 8 - Killone Parish". www.clarelibrary.ie. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  12. ^ "The Mermaid of Newhall Lake". Clarecastle Ballyea Heritage. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Frost, James (1897). "Ui Cormaic, Killone Parish"". 4 April 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  14. ^ Lee, Sidney, ed. (1903). "O'Brien, Murrough (1614–1674)". Index and Epitome. Dictionary of National Biography. Cambridge University Press. p. 961.
  15. ^ Vict, Parliament lords, proc (1861). Case of ... Lucius, lord Inchiquin ... on his claiming the right to vote at the election of representative peers for Ireland. [With] Minutes of evidence. p. 36.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Parliament, lords (13 December 2015). Case Of ... Lucius, Lord Inchiquin ... On His Claiming The Right To Vote At The Election Of Representative Peers For Ireland. Minutes Of Evidence. Palala Press. ISBN 978-1348041122.
  17. ^ a b Marshall, Ruth (3 June 2013). Clare Folk Tales. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-9203-2.
  18. ^ a b Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. H. Colburn. 1847.
  19. ^ a b Burke, Bernard (1863). A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. Harrison.
  20. ^ An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of County Clare. Stationery Office. 2009. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4064-2175-0.
  21. ^ The Archaeological Journal. Longman, Rrown,(sic) Green, and Longman. 1997. p. 301.
  22. ^ Glin, Knight of; Peill, James (2007). Irish Furniture: Woodwork and Carving in Ireland from the Earliest Times to the Act of Union. Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-300-11715-8.
  23. ^ Burke, Bernard (21 April 2023). A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. BoD – Books on Demand. ISBN 978-3-382-31545-0.
  24. ^ Burke, Bernard (1863). A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland. Harrison.
  25. ^ "Landed Estates Ireland". 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Newhall website". 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  27. ^ Academy, Royal Irish (1907). The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Bonham a.o. p. 13.
  28. ^ a b Monahan, Fintan (24 June 2019). "Pilgrimage to St. John's Well, Killone Abbey". Killaloe Diocese. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  29. ^ "Saint John the Baptist Holy Well, Tobar Eoin, Newhall". County Clare Heritage Office. 31 July 2021. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  30. ^ "A Folklore Survey of County Clare: Rocks, Caves and Stones". www.clarelibrary.ie. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  31. ^ "The Haunting Tale of the Mermaid's Curse of Newhall House and Killone Lake - Moon Mausoleum". moonmausoleum.com. 19 June 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  32. ^ "A Folklore Survey of County Clare: Water Spirits and Mer-folk". www.clarelibrary.ie. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  33. ^ a b "The Mermaid of Newhall Lake". Clarecastle Ballyea Heritage. 11 June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  34. ^ Quinn, Jessica (2 July 2021). "Heritage group revives legend of Newhall Lake Mermaid". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  35. ^ "The Mermaid · Clarecastle (C.) · The Schools' Collection". dúchas.ie. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
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